EP0052601B1 - Device for permanently supplying water to plants - Google Patents

Abstract

At least two distribution devices (2, 2') are arranged one behind the other on a pipe fed by a water tank, for the control of water supply to plants. The water flow is adjusted to the needs of all the plants in general by the fact that the water quantity of the last distribution device (2) is continuously compared with the water quantity required for the last plant (4'), and each difference is corrected immediately by varying the total flow. Preferably, the level in one tank (6) communicating with the last plant (4') is controlled by means of a float (7) which controls a flow regulator (5) arranged on the water pipe (1) before the first distribution device (2).

Description

The invention relates to a device for the continuous supply of a quantity of water adapted to the common water requirements of water consumers in the form of crop plants with at least two water delivery devices which are successively inserted into a water supply fed by a water supply and under the action of the capillary forces of the soil the quantity of water required by the water consumers deliver, a flow controller being inserted in the water pipe in front of the first water dispensing device, which is controlled by a monitoring device provided after the last water dispensing device and comparing this continuously with the amount of water flowing in with the amount of water required by the last water consumer.

Water discharge devices are always understood to mean devices that allow the water to escape only very slowly. The exit speed without external influences is so low that a significant water outlet occurs only through the suction effect of the plants or the capillary forces of the drying soil.

In particular, the device serves for optimal. Watering houseplants and balcony plants, but can also be used for outdoor plants.

Such an irrigation device can be found, for example, in DE-A-26 10 613, which has a continuous water pipe for supplying the water consumers, at the end of which the monitoring device controlling the inflow is arranged. The water pipe is formed by an open channel, which is optionally subdivided into several sections arranged at different heights, the consumers arranged above the channel removing the water from the channel by means of a capillary insert. The flowing water therefore forms a kind of groundwater. At the end of the gully, the water level is monitored, with an immersed float connected to the inflow valve. If the water level in the trough increases due to low consumption, the inflow is throttled, but if it drops more, the inflow is increased. It is irrelevant which water consumer uses more water because the shortcoming is registered in any case. The water supply to each individual consumer is therefore tailored to their actual needs.

However, it is not possible to adapt to the changing water requirements in the course of the year due to the living conditions and the nutritional rhythm.

DE-A-26 23 117 describes an irrigation device for supplying several water consumers set up at different heights, the water flowing from a storage container through overflow vessels. Each row of water consumers, which are arranged at the same height, is assigned an overflow vessel in such a way that the water level when the overflow vessel is full is higher than the water dispensing device of the respective row, so that over-watering takes place. At the end of the water pipe, a further vessel is arranged in the same way, into which the end of a ventilation pipe of the storage container protrudes. As soon as the water level in the last vessel drops, air enters the reservoir and water flows through the overflow vessels. A branch line extends from each overflow vessel to the individual water consumers. In order to replenish water, only the water requirements of the lowest water consumers are decisive. If their consumption is too low, no water is added to the other higher water consumers, even if they have a higher water requirement. The static water pressure acting on the water consumers, especially in the upper rows, changes in the absence of water supply, but cannot be adapted to the given or desired conditions.

Another device of this type with a negative pressure in the water pipe is shown in DE-OS 26 55 655. As a water delivery device, a hollow body is described here, which is inserted into the soil in the root region of a plant. The part that lies above the ground is impermeable to air, the lower part that can be inserted into the ground is liquid-permeable, preferably made of fired clay. A water pipe leads from a container in which the water level is below the hollow body into the air-impermeable part of the hollow body. Due to the capillary forces of the soil, the amount of water corresponding to the water requirement of the plant is sucked in. The water level in the hollow body is adjustable, so it can also be adapted to individual needs.

The invention has now set itself the task of improving a device of the type mentioned in such a way that the water supply available to every consumer, which on average is just sufficient to cover his water needs individually, in adaptation to special circumstances in a simple manner Way can be increased or decreased.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that a device for regulating the static water pressure in this section of the water pipe is arranged in a height-adjustable manner at the end of a section of the water pipe which supplies water consumers and is arranged at substantially the same height and has a closed cross section.

The formation of a device for regulating the static water pressure in an otherwise essentially automatic irrigation system results from the fact that the water requirement of the plants is not constant over a longer period of time, so that a deliberate intervention in the otherwise automatic water absorption due to the capillary action of the soil occurs again and again is advantageous. For example, if plants are planted fresh or the soil is changed, it is advisable to add an increased amount of water at least for a short time in order to facilitate their growth. Especially at this stage, it can happen that the capillary action of the freshly filled or dug soil is too small to suck in the required amount of water, so that an increase in the device and the resulting static overpressure causes more water to escape through the water discharge devices. Conversely, it is sometimes desirable to worsen the living conditions of the plants, for example in order to postpone the flowering period, so that by lowering the regulating device below the level of the water supply, the plants have to exert an increased suction effect, which is a drier soil and thus somewhat less favorable Creates living conditions.

The height adjustability can be achieved in that the device for regulating the static water pressure on a bracket provided with a scale is displaceable between a level above the section and a level below the section.

A preferred embodiment of the device for regulating the static water pressure comprises, for example, a container which has two subchambers. The two subchambers are formed by a partition that does not extend over the entire container height, the space above the two subchambers being provided with an air inlet opening. The incoming part of the water pipe opens into the first subchamber, and the outgoing part of the water pipe leads out of the second subchamber, the free overflow of the water being formed by the partition. The air inlet opening can be closed by a float valve in order to prevent water from escaping through the air inlet opening when the device is initially filled, with a large amount of water being supplied at once.

The device according to the invention can be used in particular where the water pipe runs through at least two sections with different levels, between which a pressure compensation device is arranged, which is formed by a free overflow of water between the two sections of different levels. With such an arrangement it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the device for regulating the static water pressure at the end of the higher section is inserted into the pressure compensation device, which consists of a first siphon-like loop of the water pipe at the end of the higher section to which the device for regulation the static water pressure is connected, and is formed from a second siphon-like loop at the beginning of the lower section.

The siphon-like loops at the beginning and at the end of the water pipe sections now allow the static water pressure in each individual water pipe section to be influenced independently of each other. If, for example, the regulating device is raised above the level of the water pipe at the end of the first section, there is a slightly increased pressure in this section; on the other hand, the pressure is reduced when the device is lowered below the level of the first water line section. In a preferred embodiment it is further provided that the siphon-like loop of the pressure compensation device is formed by a hollow body which can be inserted into the ground and which represents a double-walled tube with a lower transition area and two upper, separate connecting pieces.

Suitable water dispensing devices for plants, which only release the required amount of water due to the capillary forces of the soil, are, for example, the hollow bodies known from DE-A-26 55 655, the conical part of which is approximately vertically insertable into the soil and is permeable to water and preferably from fired clay. The part that protrudes above the earth's surface and is provided with connections for the water pipe is air-impermeable.

Each of the hollow bodies can also be used for the individual nutrition of the plants at the same time by inserting a fertilizer capsule into the air-impermeable part of the hollow body.

The invention will now be described in more detail below with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings, without, however, being restricted thereto.

• Figur 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zur Bewässerung von in vier Reihen übereinander angeordneten Verbrauchern, etwa zur Versorgung von Balkonpflanzen an mehreren Balkonen, und
• Figuren 2 und 3 zwei Ausführungsbeispiele von Einrichtungen zur Regelung des statischen Wasserdruckes swischen zwei Niveaustufen.

Show it :

• 1 shows a device according to the invention for watering consumers arranged in four rows one above the other, for example for supplying balcony plants on several balconies, and
• FIGS. 2 and 3 show two exemplary embodiments of devices for regulating the static water pressure between two levels.

1 schematically shows a device according to the invention for watering consumers arranged in four rows one above the other. In the initial part of a water pipe 1, which is fed by a water supply, not shown, a flow rate controller 5 is installed. In the flow direction after the flow regulator 5 supplies the water line 1 water discharge devices 2 connected in series, the water pipe 1 in the illustrated embodiment having a plurality of approximately horizontally laid sections 1 'which run at different heights. Each section 1 'could for example be arranged along a balcony railing of a multi-storey house. Each of the water delivery devices 2 is assigned to a plant or group of plants and inserted into the soil surrounding the plant roots. After the last water delivery device 2 ', a monitoring device 3 is arranged in the water line section 11, which controls the flow controller 5 in the event of any deviation of the amount of water flowing to the last water delivery device 2' from the amount of water required by the last water consumer 4 '. This means that exactly the amount of water drawn in by all water consumers 4, 4 'flows into the water line 1 and every change in demand is immediately compensated for. This enables an individual water intake by each consumer, since the amount of water not accepted continues to flow. The monitoring device 3 has a container 6, in which a float 7 is arranged in a height-adjustable manner on a two-armed lever 8. The lever 8 is part of a pinch valve through which the water line 1, which is formed at least in this area by a hose, is guided. When the device according to the invention is initially filled, the tube initially has a normal, circular cross section. Much more water flows through the water pipe 1 than the consumers 4, 4 'need, so that the excess water flows into the container 6 via the section 11. The rise in the water level in container 6 causes the float 7 to be raised and the pinch valve to be actuated, so that the flow rate drops. As soon as the flow rate corresponding to the demand has been set, no further water flows through the end section 11 into the container 6. Any excess of water which allows the float to be raised further immediately reduces the flow rate.

The monitoring device 3 can be a mere Füllstandsmeßeinrichtun ^g when the container 6 is set up so that the water level in the container 6 is at the same level as in the last water dispenser 2 'and changes with it. Undersupply of the last consumer 4 'causes the water level in the last water dispenser 2' to drop. This also causes the float 7 to sink and increase the cross section of the pinch valve.

Since the plant which forms the last water consumer 4 ', even under negative pressure, tends to draw water from the container 6, which likewise causes the float 7 to sink, and thus increases the flow rate, the container 6 can be arranged to be adjustable in height, whereby the height corresponding to a desired increased or decreased static water pressure can be read off on a scale 47. Since the height adjustment of the container 6 itself cannot be carried out in every case, the change in level of the water level can also be achieved by adjusting the height of the float 7 on the lever 8. Both possibilities are indicated in FIG. 1.

As mentioned, a hollow body which consists of a water-permeable lower part, in particular fired clay, and an air-impermeable upper part, in particular plastic, is particularly suitable for delivering water to the ground. The water-permeable part is completely inserted into the ground and the air-impermeable part has a screw-on cap which is provided with two connecting pieces for the water line 1. The passage of water through the water-permeable part is very low, so that water is released to the extent required by the plant only through the suction power of the roots or the capillary forces of the soil. A fertilizer capsule can be inserted into the hollow body.

By using a long-term fertilizer, it becomes possible to adapt the fertilization to the actual needs of the plants, which vary in different seasons. If, for example, the capsule is inserted into the hollow body in spring, the nutrient salts dissolve very slowly at first, but later more quickly. The concentration of the nutrient solution then reaches a maximum at about the time of the greatest nutrient requirement in late spring or at the beginning of summer, which remains constant for some time, for example four to five months, and then decreases again in autumn, or to zero strives at what time of year the plants' nutritional needs are already low.

In Fig. 1 the water pipe is guided over several sections 1 'of different heights. In this case, devices 13 for regulating the static water pressure are also provided at the end of a section 1 'between the individual level steps. The pressure in the entire water pipe 1 is approximately the same if the devices 13 are each arranged at the same height. A siphon-like loop 39 is provided before and after each device 13. The device 13 (FIG. 2) consists, for example, of a container 14, which is divided by a partition wall 15 extending over part of its height into two partial chambers 16 and a space 18 arranged above and connecting them. An air inlet opening 17 is provided in the lid of the container and can be closed by a float valve 19. The water flows through the water pipe 1 from the siphon-like loop 39 into one sub-chamber 16, over the partition 15 into the second sub-chamber 16, and into the next siphon-like loop 39 of the water pipe 1. The pressure equalization is achieved by the air inlet, the two loops 39 before and after each device 13 for regulating the static water pressure prevent air from entering the water pipe 1. The float valve 19 serves to close the container when the device according to the invention is first filled. If an increased or decreased static pressure is to be generated in the respective section, the device 13 is displaced vertically, so that the upper edge of the partition 15 comes to lie above or below the water level in the preceding water pipe section 1 '. A corresponding scale 47 is provided on each device 13, by means of which the pressure in the line section 1 'can be recognized. Fig. 3 shows a device 13 for regulation, which can be used instead of the siphon-like cable loop 39 at the end and at the beginning of each section 1 'and can even be inserted into the ground. It has a hollow insertion part 40 in which a tube insert 41 can be moved. The pipe insert 41 is connected to a riser pipe 42 projecting downwards into the plug-in part 40, a drainage pipe 46 branching off from the riser pipe 42, and to an inflow pipe 43 opening into the plug-in part 40, to which the water line section 1 can be connected. The upper part of the riser pipe 42 serves as a vent 44, which is closed by a cap 45 in the operating state, and can be opened during the filling process. The device according to FIG. 3 can at the same time also be used as a water dispensing device 2 if the insertion part 40 is replaced by a part which is permeable to water at least in the lower region.

Claims (7)

1. Apparatus for continuously supplying an amount of water adapted to the common water need of water consumers (4, 4') in the form of cultivated plants, comprising at least two water supply means (2, 2') which are arranged one after the other in a water conduit (1) fed by a water reservoir and supply, under the action of the capillary forces of the soil, the amount of water required by the water consumers, (4, 4'), flow regulating means (5) being arranged in the water conduit (1) before the first water means (2), said flow regulating means being controlled by control means (3) which are provided after the last water supply means (2') and continuously compare the amount of water flowing to said last water supply means with the amount of water required by the last water consumer (4'), characterized in that at the end of a section (1') of the water conduit (1), which has a closed cross- section and supplies a row of water consumers (4) arranged substantially at the same level, means (13) regulating the static water pressure in said section (1') of the water conduit (1) are height-adjustably arranged.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (13) for regulating the static water pressure are displaceable at holding means, which are provided with a scale (47), between a level above the section (1') and a level below the section (1').

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (13) for regulating the static water pressure comprise a reservoir (14) which is by means of a partition wall (15) divided into two compartments (16) connected to each other above the partition wall (15), the water conduit leading into one compartment (16) and leading off the other compartment (16), said reservoir further comprising an air inlet opening (17) into the space (18) above the two compartments (16).

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that a float valve (19) in associated with the air inlet opening (17). -

5. Apparatus according to one of claims 1-4, in which the water conduit (1) is arranged in two sections (1') at different levels between which pressure compensating means are provided which are formed by a free overflow of the water between the two sections (1') at different levels, characterized in that the means (13) for regulating the static water pressure are arranged in the pressure compensating means at the end of the higher-level section (1'), said means being formed by a first siphon-like loop (39) of the water conduit (1) at the end of the higher-level section (1'), the means (13) for regulating the static water pressure being connected to said loop, and by a second siphon-like loop (39) at the beginning of the lower-level section (1').

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the siphon-like loop (39) of the pressure compensating means is formed by a hollow body insertable into the soil and forming a double-walled tube (40, 42) comprising a lower transition region and two upper separate connecting pieces (43, 46).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the hollow body is designed as a water supply means, and that its portion insertable into the soil is made of burnt clay and permeable to water, its portion extending above the soil being air-tight.

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